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Stagecoach buses in the news

“Despite the presence of an open, deregulated bus market, there is very little actual competition between operators in the CPCA area,” the SYSTRA report reads. “The only significant overlap in services was between Whippet and Stagecoach on sections of the busway."

It says that a law passed in 2017 gives local authorities the power to have an "enhanced partnership" or take over bus companies.

A partnership would give local authorities more influence over bus services but would mean operators still have freedom in their commercial decisions, the report says.

An enhanced partnership means that commercial decisions could be moderated in line with plans agreed jointly between the bus company and the CPCA.

The report recommends that communication, branding, and ease of user access are reviewed in line with network options to ensure an effective approach is taken.

It also says there should be a “simplified, flat fare system for Peterborough and Cambridge” and discounted fares for young apprentices, jobseekers, over 60s, as well as promotional packages for new residents and employees of new developments.

'Too long to wait'

Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge and former shadow buses minister, welcomed the report, but said the process needs to be speeded up.

Mr Zeichner said: “I am disappointed with the timescales outlined in the report. 2021 is too long to wait for the business cases to be developed.

“The report is long on generalisations about transport in general, and weak on local specifics and data. We all know that services in and around Cambridge are expensive and services frequently delayed, most recently because of severe driver shortages.”

Daniel Zeichner

James Palmer, mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, however, said it would inevitably take time to deliver such a large “step change” in local transport.

Mr Palmer said: “The system isn’t working and we need change. We want a bus network that will be model for others to follow. Our Board meets on January 30 to decide the next steps, including a recommendation to develop a business case for a step-change, which includes exploring franchising and enhanced partnerships.

“The business case would take about two years. We need time to develop a robust case that ensures that we have a sound basis for any step-change. In the meantime there is an opportunity to create a bus taskforce of local partners to start delivering improvements quickly.”